Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 11 July 2018

Committee on Budgetary Oversight

Summer Economic Statement: Discussion

3:30 pm

Photo of Maria BaileyMaria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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On the provision of housing at market value, I would welcome an expansion of the help-to-buy scheme because it has helped to ensure the construction of houses in Dublin, Cork and Galway within the bracket of first-time buyers. I recognise that one year ago we could not have considered this because the priority had to be the provision of housing for vulnerable persons. I welcome the cost rental and affordable purchase proposals which have been issued to local authorities to entice them to come up with more ambitious plans. We are moving in the right direction in that regard and also in the licensing agreements and public private partnerships. I recognise that the aim is that, by 2021, we will have more people in permanent social housing than under the HAP scheme or the RAS. All of the indicators suggest we are moving in the right direction, albeit it has taken time. As I said, I would welcome an expansion of the help-to-buy scheme.